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Book of Ezekiel
Chapter 35

In revealing God’s future for Israel, Ezekiel wrote about the utter failure of the Levites to teach GOD’S Truth to the Nation of Israel, which led to their failure. But CHRIST shall return (Zec.14:1-5; Rev.19:11-21), and be the Good Shepard, setting Israel as a world leader with the Lord JESUS at the Head of all nations and David as a prince of Israel (34:23-24; 37:24-25). Also, it was the GOD’S condemnation to the leaders when Jesus was in Jerusalem where they were accused of being blind guides (Mat.23:16, 24), which was just one woe among the seven woes the Lord JESUS spoke of (Mat. Ch.23).

GOD’S judgment of Edom and preparing for the future place where He will meet Face-to-face with the remnant of Israel who fled from the Antichrist into the wilderness (Rev.12:13-16).

Theme: Edom is judged; prediction of Israel's sins judged and forgiven.

Edom is Judged (35:1-15)

In Ezekiel 25:12-14, judgment of Edom is spoken of, but greater doom was reserved for this place, because Edom was one of the surrounding nations that profited at first by Judah’s fall, and because it helps by way of contrast to bring out in a striking way the better future intended for Israel. Edom is the God-hating, God-opposing power, forever distinguished for its bitter hatred of Israel; and so the ruin of Edom is the triumph of Israel in the power of GOD.

Ezekiel 35:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (KJV)

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me . . . Ezekiel is here commissioned by the LORD to speak judgment, on Mount Seir, because of Edom's hatred of Israel. After the prophecy in Chapter 34 concerning the shepherds of Israel, and the goats of the flock, and of their oppressions of the sheep and lambs, the weak of the flock; and concerning the MESSIAH, and the blessings of grace promised the church in the latter day; comes another prophecy concerning the destruction of her enemies, under the name of Seir or Edom.

*****It seems surprising to have another prophecy against Edom at this particular place in Ezekiel, mainly because he had ended one against the same people back in Ezekiel 25. Several scholars have tried to explain this. (1). One says it gives greater detail, indicating that Edom had recently aggravated their offenses against the covenant people and their God. (2). Another says that the full accomplishment of GOD'S purpose required the return of the captives to Palestine; and Edom had planned to hinder that purpose by laying claim to Palestine. (3). Before the land could be returned to its rightful owners, all false claims had to be disposed of. (4). The prophecy does not apply just to Edom alone, because Edom represents all people in the whole world who have hostility toward God and the covenant people.

Ezekiel 35:2 Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it, (KJV)

Son of man set thy face against Mount Seir . . . which got its name from Seir the Horite, who first possessed it; and was succeeded in it by Esau and his posterity, the Edomites (Gen.36:8; Deut.2:12), so that the country of Edom or Idumea is here intended, and the people of it; who are put for the enemies of the church and people of GOD in general, as these were the enemies of Israel and Judah; and particularly for Rome (Rev.17:1-9), which, as it was spiritually called Egypt and Sodom, so it may be called Edom, as it often called is by the Jews. Mount Seir is Edom or Idumea (Gen.36:8-9). Edom was singled out as surpassing all others in its bitterness against GOD’S people, to represent all their enemies everywhere and in all ages (Isa.34:1; 63:1-4). So Edom, the region of the greatest enmity towards GOD’S people, is the ideal scene of the final judgments of all GOD’S foes. Seir means shaggy, referring to its rugged hills and forests.
And prophesy against it . . . Ezekiel was to foretell what sad things are coming to them.

Ezekiel 35:3 And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate. (KJV)

And say unto it, thus saith the Lord GOD . . . the prophet was not there in Mount Seir, so he could not speak directly to the Edomites; but he could send this prophecy to their ambassadors at Babylon; or in a letter to them in their own land, in the Name of the LORD.
Behold, O Mount Seir, I am against thee . . . not the person of the prophet, but the Person of GOD Himself was against them. Dear one, it is a terrible thing for anyone to have Almighty GOD against them, be it a nation, or a specific person. The Targum is, behold, I send my fury upon thee.
And I will stretch out mine hand against thee . . . dear friend, GOD is well able to reach them wherever they were, and when His Hand is stretched out, it will not be turned back; and where it lands, it falls heavy indeed.  GOD’S Hand is a mighty Hand of power and wrath. When He lifts up His Hand, He strikes in a most powerful way.
And I will make thee most desolate . . . Edom’s land, cities, towns and villages, all should be utterly laid waste (Rev.17:15-16).  

Ezekiel 35:4 I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. (KJV)

I will lay thy cities waste . . . such as Dedan, Teman, Bozrah and other cities of Idumea mentioned in Scripture; and symbolically may mean all within the jurisdiction of Rome, the several cities of the anti-Christian states, called the cities of the nations; which will fall at the pouring out of the vials (Rev.16:19).  
And thou shalt be desolate . . . thoroughly and entirely, and shall remain so.
And thou shalt know that I am the LORD . . . they shall know that all that was done, was done by the Hand of GOD was in it; and that this is a punishment inflicted by Him, for their sins, which shall be mentioned . . . but not that they would know the LORD spiritually and be saved, for they would not yield obedience to Him, and own and acknowledge Him to be their GOD; although this could be the case of a tiny remnant among them (Rev.11:13).  

*****Verses 1-4 refer to Edom, and in the land of Edom there was the rock-hewn city known as Petra. The city is still there, but there is no more a desolate area anywhere than that place.

Ezekiel 35:5 Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end: (KJV)

Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred . . . a perpetual hatred, Edom was of the same family, brother to Jacob, and his was a sin of envy, but greater to hate, and worse yet, to keep this a permanent hatred, an inborn hostility from Esau’s time, the father of the Edomites, until now . . . so many hundreds of years had the seed of Esau hated Jacob’s seed for his inheriting the blessing (Gen.25:29-34). There was an old grudge and enmity existing in the descendants of Esau against the descendants of Jacob, because Jacob replaced the older Esau, and got the birthright and blessing from him.
And hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity . . . when Jerusalem was taken by the Chaldeans, the Edomites not only rejoiced at it, and took part of the spoil, but stood in the crossways, and killed those that made their escape; or drove them back to the sword of the enemy; or delivered them into their hands; which was barbarous and inhuman usage of their neighbors and brethren (Oba.1:10). The Targum is, and thou didst deliver the children of Israel into the hands of those that slay with the sword, in the time of their destruction.
In the time that their iniquity had an end . . . when their iniquity was charged and punished on them, which brought them to final ruin (21:25). When all was lost, and their city taken, and none to pity or help, then did Edom cruelly execute his hatred (Ps.137:7).  

*****God gives the reason for the judgment of Edom. Edom is the people descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. Esau was Jacob's most bitter enemy, and the people of Edom probably hurt the people of Israel more than any other enemy they had. Edom represents all the enemies of GOD in this world today, and it is that enemy who is going to rise against GOD in the latter days under the Antichrist.

Ezekiel 35:6 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: saith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee. (KJV)

Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD . . . as I live: God is true and persistent to His threats against hardened sinners, then and now, and will always be so, as I live is a form of an oath, which the LORD swears by Himself, because He could not swear by any that was greater. The LORD will only say this oath, in matters of great importance, and to confirm them, as the following is:
I will prepare thee unto blood . . . prepare them for war, which will bring slaughter and blood, such as the battle at Armageddon (Rev.16:14), or I will make thee blood, a field of blood; turn thee into blood, as the sea, rivers, and fountains will be, at the pouring out the second and third vials (Rev.16:3).  
And blood shall pursue thee . . . the guilt and vengeance of blood; or the avengers of the blood of the saints; the angels that shall pour out the vials of wrath on Rome, and the ten kings that shall hate the whore (Rev.17).
Saith thou hast not hated blood . . . some read it; hast hated blood, which they interpret of the blood of the sacrifices; others think it means the blood of circumcision; and others, of his brother, who was his flesh and blood, and was hated by him. This is a symbolic phrase, meaning that less is said than is intended. The sense is, they had loved blood; they were happy in shedding blood; they had thirsted after it, and drank plenty of it, and even been drunk with it, as the whore of Rome is said to be (Rev.17:5). Hast not hated blood . . . Edom has loved, NOT hated bloodshed; therefore the vengeance of GOD follows them.
Even blood shall pursue thee . . . this is repeated to confirm it; and this was measure for measure (Mat.7:2; Mk.4:24; Lk.6:38), a fair retaliation; their having shed blood, it was only right that blood would pursue, and be given (Rev.16:5-6).

*****The Edomites shall be slain with the sword. GOD will prepare them for blood. Edom shall be steadily weakened, and so would be all the more easily conquered, while the enemy would gather strength and more effectually subdue it. So, the preparation is in the making a long while before for Edom’s destruction.
Edom hast not hated blood, seems to imply just the opposite, for they had delighted in it and thirsted after it. They kept up their deep-rooted hatred of sin, and unless they repented, and put off their bloody outlook, blood shall chase after them, this seems to be a warning that the judgment may be prevented by a full reformation. IF he turn not, GOD will whet His sword (Ps.7:12), But IF he turn, GOD will lay His sword aside. A great and over-all slaughter shall be made of the Idumeans, such as had been foretold (Isa.34:6), for they did not repent, did not turn away from their sin. Dear friend, this is a lesson for us today as well. We are to love Israel, not hate them! http://www.hisservants.org/israel_h_s.htm

Ezekiel 35:7 Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth. (KJV)

Thus will I make Mount Seir most desolate . . . by shedding the blood of the people of it; and just as Rome will be, when it will be utterly burnt with fire (Rev.18:9, 15-18). That city shall be made desolate and naked as will the flesh of the whore also (Rev.17:16), when all the vials shall be poured out on the anti-Christian states under Rome’s jurisdiction (Rev.16:1).  
And cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth . . . every traveler that passed in or out shall be cut off; it shall no more be visited by merchants; nor will there be any merchandise any more in it (Rev.18:11).

*****The highways shall be unoccupied (Eze.29:11; Judg.5:6). It is a kind of payback in, that she should be cut off herself, even though she stood in the crossway to cut off those of Jacob's people, that did escape (Oba.1:14).

Ezekiel 35:8 And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword. (KJV)

And I will fill his mountains with his slain men . . . not only Mount Seir, but all the rest of the mountains in Idumea; where they would flee for refuge, as the enemy shall pursue them and slay them; and where their dead bodies will fall in such numbers, as to cover the mountains with them (Rev.19:18). His, Edom’s mountains, where they will flee, and there the enemy shall take and slay his men everywhere, slaughter shall be made of his men, pursued by the Chaldeans, but more by the vengeance of God (32:5).
In thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword . . . expresses the common greatness of the slaughter, that it would be wide-ranging everywhere; and because of it, rivers and fountains are said to become blood, through the number of the slain (Rev.16:3).

Ezekiel 35:9 I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. (KJV)

I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return . . . their former dignity and glory shall not be restored and their cities shall lie waste forever . . . which agrees with what is prophesied of Edom (Mal.1:4), and will be true of Rome (Babylon0 when destroyed; it will never rise again, but be like a great millstone in the midst of the sea (Rev.18:21). And thy cities (35:4). GOD would make them perpetual desolations because of their perpetual hatred (35:5).
And ye shall know that I am the LORD . . . (35:4). ALL wicked people shall one day know, and admit that He is the LORD!

*****Edom’s sin was perpetual hatred, and Edom’s punishment shall be perpetual desolations. Edom would never return into friendship with Israel, but continually hate, molest and waste them, and so for just payment Edom’s cities shall be wasted, and never return to their former glory.
Ezekiel had previously mentioned Edom's judgment in Ezekiel 25:12-14. Why does he mention it here again? I think it is could be to show that God does indeed have a plan for the nation Israel.         But, as for now, their enemy is still around, so GOD shall judge the enemy exactly as they deserve. The nation of Israel shall one day be restored to their land, a place of tremendous blessing. GOD shall put them back in their land and they shall at last have peace. The Jews will one day be back in their land worshiping GOD, and living in peace and blessing. There is no doubt that a glorious future is ahead for them, no matter what those that hate her think!

Ezekiel 35:10 Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there: (KJV)

Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it . . . these two nations, Israel and Judah, just two after the revolt of the ten tribes. For more on Israel’s tribes, see Special Comments, Chapter 19. We will possess it . . . with great arrogance they decide what they will do; thinking the right was theirs, as being the descendants of the elder brother, and now the possession they say shall be theirs too. This may also mean the claim that Rome makes on each of the Protestant nations and countries; and which she will think all her own, and that she is in the possession of them, upon the slaying of the witnesses; and when the whore will say, I sit a queen, and am no widow (Rev.18:7-8).
Whereas the LORD was there . . . since GOD is omnipresent, He heard their words and knew their thoughts. The Targum is, and before the Lord the thoughts of the heart were manifest. The LORD was there (Eze.48:35; Ps.48:1, 3; 132:13-14). The Lord GOD claimed Judea as His own, even when the Chaldeans had overthrown the state; they could not remove GOD, as they did the idols of heathen lands. The clause, and the LORD was there, rushes in, like a flash of lightning, condemning the wicked opinion of Edom’s thought.

*****The land of Judea was Immanuel's land (Isa.8:8); and as the LORD had been in it, and granted His gracious Presence in the Tabernacle and Temple, so He still continued His powerful Presence in it, to protect and keep it for His people; who would return to it after their captivity, and inhabit it until the MESSIAH came, who was to be born in it (Jn.1:14; Lk.2:11). Or this may mean the great impiety and daring wickedness of the Edomites, to think and talk of possessing a country that was the LORD'S, and where He was. This is true of churches that left the Roman church . . . for the LORD is there, and although they may be brought very low, and the Antichrist may triumph over them, and think he has them in his power again, but when they continue in CHRIST (Rev.20:4), yet suddenly his destruction will come, and their deliverance (Rev.20:9-10).

Ezekiel 35:11 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee. (KJV)

Therefore, as I live, saith the LORD . . . an oath, as before (35:6).  
I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them . . . as they had been angry with them, and hated them, and done mischief to them, so too will GOD be angry with them, and hate them, and inflict punishment on them. GOD will strike back all the anger, envy and hatred shown to His people, and punish them agreeing to their just failures. So too shall the Roman Antichrist be dealt with; he who has led into captivity shall go into it, and he that has killed with the sword shall be killed by it. Babylon shall be rewarded double, as she has rewarded others (Rev.13:10).
And I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee . . . GOD is known by the judgments that He executes, when such wicked ones are taken in their own works, as snares which they themselves have laid. The Targum is, and I will reveal myself to do good unto them, when I shall have taken vengeance on thee. After the destruction of Antichrist (Rev.20:10), the knowledge of GOD, and of CHRIST, will be spread among Jews and Gentiles, all the world over, so universally, so clearly and distinctly, as never was before (Dan.12:4).

Ezekiel 35:12 And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume. (KJV)

And thou shall know that I am the LORD . . . by the judgments executed upon Edom, and so upon Antichrist; for GOD is known by the judgments He executes, on both good and bad men (Ps.9:16).
And that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel . . . the people of Israel and Judah literally, and the churches and people of GOD symbolically. The Antichrist is said to open his mouth in blasphemies, and to blaspheme the tabernacle of GOD, and them that dwell in Heaven; meaning the TRUE church, and the saints of the most High; which are heard and observed by the LORD, and resented by Him, and for which He will severely punish (Rev.13:5-6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.godcannotlie.org/true_children_of_god.htm
Saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume . . . the LORD heard Edom say with contempt that the mountains of Israel were desolate and that they people were theirs to devour. The inhabitants of the mountains of Israel were being carried captive or slain, so that there were none to enjoy the fruits of them; and so the Edomites decided that the Israelites were forsaken by GOD, and that He would no longer respect them, and that their land was theirs, which gave them great joy (35:10; 36:2, 5).

*****Edom condemned, criticized, scoffed and vilified GOD’S people, as if they were the people of some deaf idol . . . but the Lord GOD will make them know I am the LORD, who heard all their blasphemies, and have punished them. GOD heard all which thou hast spoken . . . Edom spoke hate against Israel, insulting them and rejoicing, as Tyre did (Eze.26).  

Ezekiel 35:13 Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them. (KJV)

Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me . . . spoke great words of pride, having your mouth opened to speak terrible, blasphemous things against GOD, as the Antichrist is said to do (Rev.13:5). What is spoken against the LORD'S people is taken by Him as spoken against Himself personally (Acts 9:4).
And have multiplied your words against me . . . not in prayer of praise and thanksgiving, but by criticizing and disapproving. Great numbers of Edomites used blasphemous and slanderous words against GOD’S people, Israel . . . it seems that all Edom acted as one, as if they all were against GOD Himself.
I have heard them . . . dear one, these are scary words! No matter what evil things that you say [or even think] about GOD’S True people, the LORD takes notice of, and be warned, He will call that person to an account for, either here on Earth, or on Judgment Day (Rev.20:11-21).

*****Although the exact words may not be reported, it is certain, from this Passage that Edom spoke proudly against the GOD of Israel, boasting what they would do. These blasphemous words or speeches were not just once or twice, but continuously. They shall regret this, and know it is because of this, that GOD acts against them, these proud ones who dared to speak in such an arrogant and blasphemous way. He had heard their words, and they shall feel His wrath. A warning to all people.

Ezekiel 35:14 Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate. (KJV)

Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the whole earth rejoiceth . . . when things go well with the world and its inhabitants, when they shall enjoy great peace and prosperity, and when Christ takes to Himself His great power, and reigns as King, His church and His people will rejoice (Rev.11:16-17).  
I will make thee desolate . . . although the whole Earth rejoices, I will make thee desolate (Rev.18:20), and this agrees with what follows.

*****When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate (Isa.65:13-14). The whole earth seems to refer to Judea and the nations that submit themselves to Judea's GOD; and when these rejoice, the foes of GOD and His people, represented by Edom as a nation, shall mourn and be desolate. Things shall be completely reversed . . . Israel, now for a time mourns, shall then rejoice, and then forever. Edom that now rejoices over fallen Israel, shall then, when everyone elsewhere have joy, shall mourn forever.

Ezekiel 35:15 As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD. (KJV)

As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate . . . just as Edom rejoiced at the destruction of Jerusalem (Oba.1:12), so too the followers of the man of sin will rejoice at the slaying of the witnesses (Rev.11:10), which is greatly resented by the LORD, and so He adds,
So will I do unto thee . . . make thee desolate, as is explained in the next clause.
Thou shall be desolate, O Mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it . . . not only the mount, but all the land of Edom, called Idumea. The destruction shall be general, as it was, and permanent; and so it shall be with not only Rome, but with all the anti-Christian states . . . all shall be destroyed when GOD comes forth in His Holy wrath against Edom.
And they shall know that I am the LORD . . . the Lord GOD Who is all-knowing and all-powerful; and Who, having foretold all this, shall indeed accomplish it. There is NO doubt whatsoever!

*****Because Edom took pleasure in the ruin of GOD’S people; for this their sin, GOD will ruin them . . . and ruin them He did! He retaliated and rejoiced in their ruin: for they helped make Jerusalem desolate . . . so He will make them desolate!

Ezekiel Chapter 36 shows the LORD preparing the land by judging the surrounding nations of Israel, entering into a new covenant with the nation, to make the land like the Garden of Eden to support a great population, and they will again be able to inquire of the LORD (36:37). This will be a much greater experience than when the LORD first brought the children of Israel into their Promised Land.  

Special Comments

Five Facts about Edom:
#1. GOD made her small among the heathen (Oba.1:2).
#2. She was really despised by others.
#3. She had a proud heart (Oba.1:3).
#4. She thought she was secure in her rock stronghold, Sela.
#5. She exalted herself as an eagle (Oba.1:4).

Ten Reasons Edom was Judged:
#1. Because of perpetual hatred of Israel.
#2. Shedding blood of Israel in the time of her defeat (35:5).
#3. Loved to see the blood of Israel shed (35:6).
#4. Because you have coveted the land of both kingdoms of Israel (35:10; 36:2, 5).
#5. Anger, envy and hatred of Israel (35:11).
#6. Blasphemy against Israel (35:12).
#7. Boasting against God (35:13).
#8. Rejoicing when Israel fell (35:15; 36:2, 5).
#9. Helped to make Israel desolate (36:3).
#10. Mocking Israel (36:3-4, 6).

Edom is a symbol of all who have a deep, undying hatred of GOD’S people, Israel, and of GOD himself. Edom is a symbol of all the wicked people in the world. And they shall know that I am the LORD . . . and one day, ALL people shall know that JESUS is the LORD, and ALL people shall bow before Him!
Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (KJV)
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (KJV)
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (KJV)
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)

Book of Ezekiel

Eze.Ch.1 . . Eze.Ch.2 . . Eze.Ch.3. . Eze.Ch.4 . . Eze.Ch.5 . . Eze.Ch.6 . . Eze.Ch.7 . . Eze.Ch.8 . . Eze.Ch.9 . . Eze.Ch.10 . . Eze.Ch.11 . . Eze.Ch.12 . . Eze.Ch.13 . . Eze.Ch.14. . Eze.Ch.15 . . Eze.Ch.16 . . Eze.Ch.17 . . Eze.Ch.18 . . Eze.Ch.19 . . Eze.Ch.20 . . Eze.Ch.21 . . Eze.Ch.22 . . Eze.Ch.23 . . Eze.Ch.24 . . Eze.Ch.25 . . Eze.Ch.26 . . Eze.27 . . Eze.28 . . Eze.29 . . Eze.30 . . Eze.31 . . Eze.32 . . Eze.33 . . Eze.34 . . Eze.35 . . Eze.36 . . Eze.37 . . Eze.38 . . Eze.39 . . Eze.40 . . Eze.41 . . Eze.42 . . Eze.43 . . Eze.44 . . Eze.45 . . . Eze.46 . . . Eze.47 . . . Eze.48 . . . Eze. Millennial Temple . . . Eze.Special Comments . . . Eze.What is Shekinah Glory? . . . Home Page